Neubert et al. (2014) placed this species in genus Maltzanella Hesse, 1917. However, based on the review of Korábek et al. (2022) the species was returned to genus Helix.

Helix godetiana snail species is endemic to Greece, where it is known from the Cyclades islands and Rhodes. It is now possibly extinct from Rhodes and has become extinct from many of the islands it was previously recorded from (now only known from subfossils on those islands; Mylonas 1982, 1983). The expansion of cultivated areas and fire has played a role in the restriction of the populations and their local extirpation. According to Mylonas (1982, 1983), it was intensive grazing, and the subsequent impoverishment of its habitats that had the most significant impact of reducing populations. The presence of large numbers of grazing animals results in large snails, such as H. godetiana, being trampled.

Its current extent of occurrence (EOO) is around 4,167 km², its area of occupancy (AOO) is 76 km², and it is undergoing continuing decline in EOO, AOO, habitat quality, subpopulations and population size. However, currently it occurs on ten (possibly 11) islands and islets and there may be at least 20 locations for this snail; also, there are insufficient data available to confirm whether the population is severely fragmented (under the IUCN definition of this term) or not. Therefore, under criterion B, the species would qualify for Near Threatened. However, although there are no data available to be able to estimate the population size accurately, based on recent extensive sampling conducted across Anafi, Naxos, Astypalaia, and sampling efforts over the last decade on Syrna and Amorgos, it appears extremely unlikely that the total population size for this species exceeds 2,500 mature individuals, and it is improbable for any subpopulation to have more than 250 individuals. This, combined with continuing decline in population size, qualifies the species for Endangered under criterion C (EN C2a(i)).

There is clear evidence of this species having undergone a past decline, with extirpations on many islands. With no information on the size of population (either now or compared with past population size), we cannot directly calculate the degree of losses during the last three generations (approximately 18 years). It is possible that the species has undergone a reduction greater than 50% since 2005 and that a similar reduction is likely over the next three generations (2023–2041), therefore this species may also qualify for Endangered under criterion A (EN A2ce+3ce). However, with no robust data available, currently it is assessed under criterion C only.

The species is endemic to Greece, where it is distributed in several Cyclades Islands (central Aegean), the island of Rhodes and some very small offshore islets. It is now extant only on the islands of Astipalea, Amorgos, Naxos, Anafi and Syrna (Welter-Schultes 2012, Mylonas and Vardinoyannis 2022). It is possibly extinct on Rhodes and extinct on Siros, Sifnos, Keros, Iraklia, Thira (Santorini), Sikinos, Folegandros and Ano Koufonisi, from where it is only known from subfossils (Mylonas 1982, 1983; Triantis et al. 2008; Welter-Schultes 2012).

There is an overall declining trend for this snail's population. This species is extinct from most of the islands where it was previously present (now only known from sub-fossils) (Mylonas 1982, 1983). Although there are no data available to be able to estimate the population size accurately, based on recent extensive sampling conducted across Anafi, Naxos, Astypalaia (along with sampling efforts over the last decade on Syrna and Amorgos), it appears extremely unlikely that the total population size for this species exceeds 2,500 mature individuals, and it is improbable for any subpopulation to have more than 250 individuals (L. Maroulis pers. comm.).

The species is ground-dwelling, found in Mediterranean shrublands in limestone areas and sandy beaches, avoiding forests of Quercus and Pinus (Mylonas 1982, 1983).

The expansion of the cultivated areas and fire has played a role in the restriction of the species' populations and their local extirpation. Nevertheless, according to Mylonas (1982, 1983), it was intensive grazing, and the subsequent impoverishment of the species habitats that had the most significant impact. The presence of large numbers of grazing animals results in large snails, such as H. godetiana, being trampled.

As for most of the large snails of the Mediterranean, especially Helix spp., it is highly possible that this species is eaten as part of the local diet. However, there are no specific data on this.

The protection of its habitat and monitoring of the population is needed, including gathering data to estimate population size more accurately. Captive breeding may be a serious consideration to help keep this species from heading towards extinction.